Twisted Gauntlet Conundrum

I realize that this is the wrong time to experience and induldge start-itis (the compelling need to start a new project when there is still a project or 2 on the needles). I must have been out of my mind going to a yarn tasting yesterday. However, the yarn I ordered is for xmas gifts AND I'm constantly wanting to start other knitted gifts even though I haven't officially finished ANY yet.

I thought I was making great progress on the alligator scarf. I switched to longer needles & it made working the ridges easier. I still hate the yarn--the price one pays by regularly knitting with good quality yarn. I was up to 4 rows of ridges & was ready to take a photo for blog & ravelry when I noticed that my stitch count was off....and had been off for the past 2 rows of ridges. So I ripped back. I haven't been able to pick up that project since last Friday.


Instead I've been trying to finish the fingerless mitts. I don't know if I'll reach my goal of finishing them today, but I hope to be very close. The green yarn is my waste yarn until I pick up for the thumb.

However, I need your help......I noticed that I worked the first 6 rows on the first gauntlet in stockinette, which causes the expected curling as seen above.





The second gauntlet I actually followed the instructions and did the first 6 rows in garter stitch.


Regardless of the reason for my error (probably wine), I refuse to frog & start the second gauntlet over again. I can only see a few choices:

1. The recipient will never notice
2. This is a design element for designating left vs. right
3. Crochet a decorative edging (I'm thinking scallop)

Suggestions?????

The Christmas Gift Countdown

Rhinebeck is over...now the only thing to look forward to is warm wool in one's lap (and/or a cooperative pet) during a cool/cold day.

It's not even Halloween & I'm feeling the pressure of Christmas looming over my shoulders--too many gifts that I want to make. The good news is that I started a few gifts & have been making regular progress with the World Series. I'm probably the only person (besides Colorado fans) who wishes there were a few more games. I'm not really a Red Sox fan, but I'm glad that a New Engand team Won.

I'm looking forward to attending a new knitting meet-up in New Hartford on Thursday & Sunday this week. I hope to continue with gift progress during these sessions.

I tried my hand a shadow knitting with good results. I really liked this idea for a pot holder 'cause it uses up stash & is a little different. I had originally planned this as a practice piece for a tote bag. However, I think it will be too stretchy for the size I want to make. I really liked that I didn't need to sew in a bunch of ends afterwards either, I just dropped the "dark color" and used the "light" color for 2 rows & switched. I'm anxiously awaiting the bag knitalong from Ready Set Knit podcast as a possible quick gift.

Other things I've started are the CamoAlligator Scarf. I'm using the pattern from Morehouse Merino. I elected to use cheap yarn so I don't have a meltdown when the recipient looses it. HOWEVER, the camo yarn is wearing away my fingerprints while I knit! Has anyone else had this happen ever? Thankfully I have another project to switch off too--the twisted gauntlets from "Not Just Socks" done in Koigu.

7 more days until Rhinebeck

I went to my first Spinning Guild meeting last Saturday & had a great time. I got to try a Kromski wheel for the first time ever. I really liked it. I think I now have 2 choices...Schact or the Kromski Sonata. I like the smoothness that the double treadle offers. I plan on trying it again at Rhinebeck.





While at the meeting & not coveting other wheels, I was trying my hand at spinning merino. My first few feet were pretty bumpy. Things smoothed out as I got further along and even got nods of approval from fellow spinners. I realized on my way home that this is only the second type of wool that I have ever spun.






You may have noticed that my project list has changed. I'm finally finished with the commissioned childs sweater. It was 2 colors with stripes, too bad I didn't learn how to weave the second color in while I knit until a few nights ago while trying out shadow knitting potholders (hopefully pictures next post). Thank goodness I didn't have to sew in all those ends myself. At least now I know that if I ever can't afford yarn, that I can find someone who will pay me to knit their project for them.

Happy Fall

Where has September gone? How many more months until the Xmas deadline? I haven't really knit much this month. I completed my first century (100 mile bike ride--yes in one day). It actually took me 6 1/2 hours (it was a flat course). Anything after 90 miles was awful (except for the finish, of course). I've been holding off on this posting waiting for the picture. I could wait no longer so according to Murphy's Law as soon as this is public, the picture will be in my inbox. I felt pretty good considering my training was the bare minimum. I strained my left thumb from spending so much time in the hoods of the brakes. This is why knitting has been halted for a bit. Massage has been challenging. I'm mostly recovered by now.

I have begun seaming the Brilosso pullover--I only have the sides to go before having to figure out how to make it longer....that is if the armholes are big enough. I'm really hoping that I don't have to give this project away as a gift, but only the knitting Goddesses know the ultimate outcome of this project. In the meantime, I plug along one seam, one stitch, one breath at a time. I guess I'm not one of those "process" knitters who would rip the whole thing out & start over.

I also completed a knitted thong for Peter the Blow-Up Doll who found a new home with a newlywed. I used the Bottoms-Up Hootchie Kootshie Tasseld G-string Pattern (http://naughtyneedlesknitting.com/?p=18) Sorry no picture posted here--whatever you imagine is better, trust me or if you really must see check out the link. I made size Small. I wish real clothes were sized as appropriately as this....the small was so small I think it could only fit Peter. I used Lion Brand Glitterspun in Purple. If I was making this to really wear, I would consider swapping out the yarn. The glitter tread in the yarn would be irritating...then again a person wouldn't be wearing it long anyway....

So Rhinebeck is around the corner. I'm feeling the pressure to use my roving I bought last year. Now that I don't have to ride my bike for 4-5 hours on the weekend, I hope that I can at least get some of it spun up.

It's Fair Season

This has been a fabulous weekend in CT! I went to the Goshen Fair yesterday to see if I knew anyone who entered finished knitted objects & sure enough I think I know the person who received a few blue ribbons!

As you can tell, I saw some sheep. I bought some Goatboy Soap in Apple Cider scent (I can't wait to try it in the shower!) As I wandered around the fairgrounds & saw a few unruly critters--draft horses & a cow that didn't want to be shown. All in all, it was a nice way to spend 2 hours.

I finished the body of the commissioned sweater project. I will seem the shoulders & possibly start the sleeves after this posting. I also need to seam the sleeves of the Brilosso Sweater. It is presently being held together with pins on a large table in our living room. I may work on this this evening instead--depending upon my mood.

Next week the post may be a few days late....I bike my first century next Sunday (a century is 100 miles). People who have done this ride in the past say it will take 7 1/2 hours, not counting the time you stop to eat & to allow blood to return to one's posterior. Hopefully the weather will be good & I will have a tail wind the whole way!

Summer is back in CT

It is so hot & humid outside today (heat index of 100) that I decided it was a great day to upload stash to Ravelry, post to the blog, put my computer on my bike, and knit a bit.



I seamed the shoulders of my Brilosso Short Sleeve Pullover this morning. I set out the sleeves on the blocking board.







I tried on the pullover &




it's a crop top!!!! I suppose this wouldn't be to bad if I were 18 again, but I'm not. So I will be adding on a knitted border after I sew in the sleeves & seam up the sides. I also plan on taking my measurements so that I can avert this type of problem sooner in the garment construction process.





Until my Knitting on the Edge book arrives, I'll have to continue on the commission project, finish up another pair of yoga socks to I can start either a toe up pair of socks or jaywalkers.


I have started my list of holiday knitting projects. I'm hoping to focus on the commission project so that I can start on some of these gift knits soon. I would also like to get some spinning time in, but that will have to wait until after I complete my first bicycle century on Sept 9th.

Knitting in Nova Scotia

The trip was great! I got some great photos & we survived 24 hrs of gail force(90km/hr or 45mph) winds (picture on left just a day after me knitting on the beach)--no knitting got done that day. Too bad some pop-up campers & motorcycles didn't fair as well.

Vacation knitting project status: I finished knitting a felted bag on the ferry ride from Yarmouth to Portland (6 hours). Only one teenage boy commented on my project: "That's a great hat your weaving!" I did tell him that I was really knitting, but I didn't have the heart to tell him it wasn't a hat. One of my dogs helped me unpack the knitting, by trying to chew the double points thru the Ziploc bag the project is presently in. I think the needles are still usable (the knitting goddesses must have been smiling on me for some reason). I also finished a pair of yoga socks & got 2/3rds complete with the second pair. I did bring home one vacation project completely untouched.

I also bought yarn at a local shoppe http://www.bellemeadefarm.ca/. It's from her sheep (I think they ran across the field just for me), dyed & I believe, spun locally by hand. I thought for sure the guys at US customs were going to rip our car apart when all we had to declare was 750ml single malt whiskey and yarn.

I got this really cool quiz in email this week. Answer all the questions & find out what kind of yarn you are! Please leave me a comment so I know what type of stash I'm hanging out with.

http://www.quizilla .com/users/ bisybackson/ quizzes/What% 20kind%20of%

I'm Shetland wool!